Dodging A Bullet

"Are you an idiot?" I asked as I stared at the young boy in front of me. "Why the hell would I want to marry anyone that is related to me?"

"I…. I am half elf, so it is fine!" Prince Zack's cheeks were red, but no matter what he said, I did not care.

"Even if you are half elf, I could care less. You are still my cousin. I would rather marry your sister than marry you. Disgusting." I spat out before turning on my heel and walking away. I did pause, though, when I realized Mimi had not followed after me. "Mimi, let's go! I need to study."

"Huh?! Ah yes, Princess!" Mimi squeaked out. I heard her footsteps as she hurried after me, but… something seemed off. I turned to see another person alongside Mimi, who kept her head low. When Mimi stopped, so did she.

"Princess Leslie? Don't you hate me? Why are you following me?" I asked as I rubbed the bridge of my nose. I was starting to feel a headache coming on. I could even hear my mother giggling from whatever hiding spot she was in, watching over us.

"You…. You said you would marry me…." Princess Leslie replied in a hushed voice. But sadly, I still heard her even though I wish I didn't.

"I was just saying that because I do not like your brother," I replied, hoping she could catch the hint, but for some reason, she raised her head and smiled sweetly at me. I sighed as I continued: "You understand what I mean, right? I do not like…."

"I will do anything!" Princess Leslie blurted out. But what I do not understand is that she is only five. Does she even know what she is talking about? I looked up to see Prince Stupid slowly making his way over here, mumbling something to himself. What he was saying, I have no idea, but whatever it was, I did not care.

Not wanting to deal with him, I decided to let the Princess follow me. She did say she would do anything. I wanted her to apologize to my brothers for her rudeness and threatening to kill them. "For now, follow me," I said before turning back around and walking off once more.

I walked right out back where my brothers were practicing their swordsmanship and stood at the side. "Brothers."

"Bella!' Ray called out but stopped and pointed his sword at Princess Leslie. "Why is she here!?"

"She came with Prince Idiot. Anyway, she has something to say to you two." I turned to Princess Leslie and said: "You said you would do anything I asked, right?"

She quickly nodded her head to answer me. "Then apologize to my brothers and me for the times you tried to have your guards kill us. And do it properly."

"Yes!" Princess Leslie did not seem to be bothered at all that I was asking her to do something she would probably normally never do. But to my surprise, she got on her knees and pressed her head against the dirt, and said: "I apologize for my horrible attitude and actions from before. Please forgive me for threatening to have you killed and acting out of line."

"Please get up, Princess. You will get your clothes dirty. Since you were willing to apologize we will forgive you. Right Bella, Ray?" Preston being the older mature one, acted like a good big brother. While it really should be me acting in a mature fashion but since I am finally living a proper childhood, it's not happening!

But since my brother asked, I still nodded my head. Ray also nodded his head. Princess Leslie raised her head and looked at us with a smile that blossomed like a flower, but I couldn't help but feel like I was missing something here….

"I am so glad. I would hate for my future wife's family to hate me." Princess Leslie suddenly spat out of her little mouth like it was the most natural thing in the world. Both my brothers stared at her with blank expressions for a few seconds before looking at me.

But before I could even say a word, a yell came from the entryway. "Leslie Lionheart! You dare steal the woman I have my eyes on!?"

I once again held my head. I could hear my eldest brother snickering while Ray seemed to be very confused. I just really want to know what the hell the castle teaches these kids! But in a way, this was kind of amusing. The Prince and the Princess were about to go at it. "Brother, you may be the Crown Prince, but My Bella has already stated she doesn't like you and would rather marry me!"

"You are a girl! She can't marry you!" Prince Zack yelled back. But that did not seem to discourage the Princess because the words that came out of her mouth next caused all of us to hold our heads. "Then I will just become a boy!"

"Alright enough!" I yelled out, causing the two to go quiet. "As of right now, we are only five years old! Things like marriage or liking someone are not even something we should be thinking about! Princess Leslie, you are the same age as me. You should be wanting to better yourself to make a better life for yourself in the future. Do not rush into things on a whim. From now on, just think of this as passing wind. I do not mind being your friend, but I do not plan to marry. At least not deciding on something that is such an important manner in a day. It is something that is done when two people fall in love with one another."

"Oh…." Princess Leslie did not seem to understand, but I guess my explanation was not easy for a five year old to comprehend. As for Prince Stupid, he just stood there with his hand on his chin.

"Then I will work harder!" Prince Stupid suddenly stated. "I will become a prince that no girl in this kingdom will ever be able to turn away, including you, my dearest Princess Bella." I feel sick. Really sick! Why does a six year old even know such corny lines!?

"Alright, then you do that. Princess Leslie. If you fall behind your brother, you might never match him." I said, trying to egg the two into a fight between themselves. I was kinda hoping this would keep the two away from me from now on.

"Right! I will not lose, Brother! Bella, just wait. I will show you just how much better I am compared to my brother! I will head back now!" I watched as Princess Leslie bowed and turned around and walked off, her eyes filled with determination. Prince Zack also bowed before he chased after Princess Leslie. Once they were out of sight I leaned against Ray and let out a sigh of relief. "The brats are gone…."

"Pfft! Hahaha! Bella, you might have a bit of trouble in the future." Preston finally could no longer hold it in and laughed out loud. I just pursed my lips and ignored him. Laugh! I didn't want this! I have no idea why this was even happening! Shouldn't they be playing with their toys in their rooms?

"It's fine I will find a magic spell that turns Eldest Brother into me and marry you off to one of the two while I live a peaceful life. I am going to the library!" I said while running off. I heard Preston yell out behind me. "Ah! Bella, don't be mad!"

I was not mad. But giving him a bit of punishment for laughing at my plight is good too. I really just wanted to go to the library and begin my studying. There was so much I wanted to know about this world, and I had to wait until this day before I could really begin learning things.

As I walked to the library, Mimi walked by my side and seemed to have something on her mind. "Just ask if you have a question, Mimi."

"Bella…. Is it okay for you to do that? I mean, that was the Prince and Princess of the kingdom." Mimi asked.

"There are both idiots, so it's fine. In a few years, they will forget all about it. Plus, we are cousins anyway. I could never marry either of them even if I were to choose between the two." I replied.

"But… Prince Zack is right. Elven blood makes it possible. Since elves intermarry even in their own…."

"Lalalalala! I can't hear it, so it doesn't happen!" Screw that! I would never do something like that. Plus, I don't like entitled brats. I do not mind being friends with them if they get their acts together, but I will never marry either of them. If I were to marry, it would be for love. But I might not even have time for such things if I am fighting these demons and angels.